Xikar – A Behind The Scenes

Back in the open area in the middle of their headquarters I heard a machine running which I was told was putting custom logos onto cigar cutters. A couple of guys were busy putting together Xikar’s limited edition USA Flag Gift Packs. Kurt Van Keppel’s father is even involved and claims to be the janitor. He was sweeping the floor! Truth be told Mr. Van Keppel says he does it all and enjoys working at Xikar. Rumor is he is the first one in the office every morning. He took me to a work area where a handful of cutters are on the table to be repaired. Lighters were on another work area right around the corner. Xikar carefully logs all returned items when they receive them, repairing lighters and cutters here, and defects are then noted in their logs. Xikar takes these defects seriously and works with the parts manufacturers to address and fix these issues. Less than 2% of Xikar products are returned but if a product cannot be repaired it is replaced – simple as that. Store returned items are usually checked over to ensure proper function and placed in a box to be sent to the US Troops. Xikar packs and sends off a full box of cigar accessories to the troops at least once a month. The amount that they donate varies month to month.

I sat down with Vice-President,Scott Almsberger and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jerry Dear. I saw several prototypes and new items Xikar has in the works, unfortunately I wasn’t able to take pictures at their request because they are not ready to reveal these new products. With Mr. Almsberger’s permission I can tell you this much, Xikar has several Mayan themed products coming out and they all look incredible but one of them blew me away and I can’t wait for them to announce the release for it. It is like nothing you have ever seen in a cutter. There is a 64 ring gauge cutter in the works, an ultra thin cutter, a few camo wrapped cutters, and a new lighter featuring 2 sizes of punch cutters built in and the ability to customize the lighter. When I say camo wrapped cutters you need to use your imagination and think outside the box of military camo. You can also look forward to a 6X60 cigar and rumor has it next year we may see something in a maduro. Product packaging is going from blue to black with a schematic of a cutter covering it. Mr. Almsberger took me through the beginning of a concept to its inception. The process from start to finish is a great amount of work as he showed me the file of one of their cutters. It seems they are constantly striving for perfection and not only working on new products but improving existing products.

Xikar doesn’t just produce high quality cigar cutters; they also have knives, lighters, containers, cases, travel humidors, pens, money clips, wallets, and cigars. The highly rated HC Series cigars are blended by Jesus Fuego and manufactured by Nestor Palcencia. Right now there are three cigars – Connecticut Shade, Habano Colorado, and Criollo. I have only smoked the Habano Colorado and it was an excellent cigar. Check back here for a review of all three very soon! It is going to be a special review and 100% Xikar – cigar, cutter, and lighter.

Page 2 of 3 | Previous page | Next page